Emma knew. They weren’t supposed to see each other overInnocents’ hiatus, were not supposed to appear to be dating. Emma was pretty sure they could totally get away with seeing each other, but Jo wanted to be careful. For as much as she hadn’t cared what people thought during the rumors, she cared now. She didn’t want to get in trouble, didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize Emma’s new job. Which was nice and good and Emma appreciated it—Emma just also wanted to see Jo.
“What about New Year’s?” Emma said.
“We can’t go out on New Year’s, Emma,” Jo said. “Do you know how many photographers lurk on New Year’s Eve, waiting to catch someone in a compromising position?”
“I didn’t saygo out. I’d suggest you come here, but I’d guess it’s easier to catch you coming into my building than it would be me going to your house.”
Jo was quiet for a moment. “Did you just invite yourself over for New Year’s Eve?”
Emma was glad Jo couldn’t see her blush over the phone. “I mean, yes, but only because it makes sense. We’d be—”
“Yes,” Jo said. “You should come over. I like that idea.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
Emma grinned like a fool.
New Year’s was two weeks away, but they could make it.
—
Hanukkah arrived first.
Emma was already at Avery’s when her parents got there. Hugs abounded, and just like at Passover, when her dad hugged her, he asked about Jo.
“You didn’t bring her this time, either? When are we going to meet her?”
“When I can trust you not to be obnoxious,” Emma said. “So probably never.”
Emma loved Hanukkah because she loved any holiday she got to spend with family. Her mom lit the candles, like she did every year. They all sang together, and Ezra was especially careful as he carried the menorah to the window. Then it was on to latkes and jelly doughnuts. Emma really loved the food.
The entire family was piled into Avery’s living room, Emma on the floor with the dogs and the twins both. The pile of food on the coffee table was so big you wouldn’t know they had all already eaten more than enough.
Emma’s phone buzzed.
Can I call the first night of Hanukkah or is that family time?
Emma couldn’t help her smile at Jo’s text. She claimed to have eaten too many latkes, said she needed a break.
“There’s no such thing as too many latkes,” Dani said, dunking another one in applesauce and putting it in her mouth.
Emma laughed at her and slipped into the privacy of the laundry room. She called Jo.
She could hear the smile in Jo’s voice when she picked up. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Emma said back. She smiled into the phone herself. “You’re allowed to call on Hanukkah.”
“Okay, good,” Jo said. “I didn’t want to interrupt anything.”
“All you’re interrupting is everyone stuffing their faces with latkes,” Emma said. “We haven’t made it to dreidel yet.”
“Are you having fun?”
“I am.”
Even more fun now. Emma felt like she was a teenager, sneaking away from a family event to talk to a girl on the phone in a hushed voice. Her stomach was doing swoops.